Once again our crack team of tech writers have been letting loose on the hottest topics in tech. Want to know what they’ve been spouting about this week? Then read on and see if you agree with their opinions. We can’t guarantee you will, but that’s where the fun is. Right?
Why incoming iPad rivals will disappoint
With the Apple iPad having been out in the shops for two months our very own Mic Wright cast a look at some of the current and future iPad rivals before delivering the damning conclusion that iPad tablet rivals are a prescription for hassles and heartache.
The Dell Streak might have curried favour with us (see our review of it here) but what about the others? On the Windows 7 slates Microsoft’s Steve Ballmer said “They come with keyboards, they’ll come without keyboards. They’ll be dockable. There will be many form factors, many price points, many sizes. But they will run Windows 7. They will run Windows 7 applications.”
But it’s not enough to appease Mic who fears the throw everything at the market approach is a recipe for woe. “There’s the big problem. Microsoft and its partners are going to flood the market with as many tablets as they can make and on each one there’ll be Windows 7, an interface that wasn’t designed for touchscreens squeezed into an alien form factor.”
But what makes the Apple iPad better in his eyes? Simplicty. “iOS on the iPad doesn’t have nearly as many features as Windows 7 but that’s the point,” he said adding “Apple has left only what’s necessary to make the iPad simple and largely free from distractions. How long will you be able to read an ebook on a Windows slate before it pipes up with a message about your anti-virus software or a new service pack update?”
Google has the same problem, as already seen on its Android phones.
“Google’s “other OS”, Android, is making inroads with tablets but they’ve got the same problem as Android phones: the fragmentation caused by new versions of Android rolling around every few months.”
And the rumoured BlackBerry tablet? “The Blackberry tablet will please hardcore fans of RIM’s emailing expertise but if rumours that it’ll have to remain tied to your phone come true, it’ll be an instant flop.”
Despite a lack of Flash the iPad still provides the intuitiveness other tablets are likely to strive for and fail doing so says Mic.”The iPad has succeeded, despite its failings, because it gets on with the job.”
Apple’s next steps to appeasing angry iPhone owners
By the time you read this Apple has either solved world peace in the eyes of iPhone 4 owners or left them scratching their heads once more. This pre iOS 4.0.1 opinion form our reporter Jennifer Allan speculates on Steve Jobs next move in solving the iPhone 4 signal crisis.
Don’t expect an iPhone recall though or free bumper cases, she said: I think an iPhone 4 recall is highly unlikely. It would be a logistical nightmare and enormously expensive to replace every one of a product that sold 1.7 million units in just a few days, and the problem, although widespread, does not seem consistent enough for this to be a practical option for Apple.”
Since Jennifer wrote the piece Apple will be letting iPhone owners have a free case. Read more about that here.
How Steve Jobs can make everything OK
Pre Apple press conference on Friday Electricpig editor James Holland also waded into the iPhone 4 histrionics to tell us how he thought Apple boss Steve Jobs can make Apple customers love the company once more.
“For once in his career, this is the time Steve Jobs needs to drop the smart arse attitude, lose the arrogance, admit Apple made a mistake in its industrial design, and that he and those around him are not infallible.”
And an extended returns policy: “I’m expecting an extended returns period, maybe up to two months, allowing those who’re unhappy with the iPhone 4 a reasonable amount of time to return it.”
Not to mention a nice freebie to show loyal Apple fans he still loves them: “A public apology will help this time, sure, but we’ll need a freebie or two as well. A gift from Apple’s father figure to show he still loves us, or maybe just something to show we won.”
Of course, reading this now we all know Apple will be giving iPhone owners free cases. Were you satisfied with Apple’s response? Let us know in the comments below.
